Resolution 11-1269RESOLUTION NO. 11-1269
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF LONGWOOD,
FLORIDA, SLOWING SUPPORT FOR THE FLORIDA
HIGH SPEED RAIL. PROJECT; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, alternative forms of passenger transportation must be provided at the
local, regional and state level to provide a sustainable future for the State of Florida; and
WHEREAS, travel demand between Florida's major metropolitan areas is rapidly
growing and expected to continue to increase; and
WHEREAS, there is currently a lack of transportation alternatives for intercity
travel in the State of Florida and it is not practical to plan for sufficient highway capacity alone to
serve the current and expected demand for intercity travel; and
WHEREAS, the Florida High Speed Rail Project holds the promise of connecting
Florida's urban centers and will transform our State, much like what was done by the interstate
highway system and Florida's Turnpike; and
WHEREAS, the Tampa -Orlando -Miami corridor was first identified as one of the
nation's federally -designated high speed rail corridors in 1992; and
WHEREAS, the Vision for High Speed Rail in America, announced in 2009,
called for new investments in intercity passenger rail, including a commitment of $11.5 billion in
federal funding over a three-year period; and
WHEREAS, the visionary work completed on the Florida High Speed Rail Project
over an eight -year period, particularly in the Orlando to Tampa corridor, put the state in the
enviable position of being the most "shovel -ready" new high speed rail project in the nation; and
WHEREAS, the Orlando to Tampa segment was awarded $1.25 billion in 2010
through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, with, later awards and appropriations now
totaling $2.39 billion in federal funding to construct the $2.6 billion project; and
WHEREAS, the remaining State match will be financed through a public -private
partnership, with repayment from an annual allocation to the Florida Rail Enterprise, established
by the Florida legislature; and
WHEREAS, construction on the Orlando to Tampa segment is projected to start in
late 2012, followed by system operations in 2015; and
WHEREAS, the project is expected to generate 23,000 direct construction jobs
and an additional 48,000 indirect jobs during the four-year construction period; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Transportation is already evaluating costs
and environmental impacts for proposed alignments in the Orlando -Miami corridor, the next step
necessary to develop this segment of the project.
Resolution No. 11-1269
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF LONGWOOD, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: That the City Commission recognizes that the Florida High
Speed Rail Program is an important element of the State's future transportation system, along with
the project's ability to: enhance economic development throughout the State, provide immediate
jobs and protect the environment.
SECTION 2: That the City Commission is committed to supporting
transportation alternatives throughout the region and the State that will significantly contribute to
the quality of life now and in the future.
SECTION 3: That the City Commission urges the Florida Governor and
Florida Legislature to ensure that the Florida. High Speed Rail Program moves forward,
recognizing that immediate job creation, long-term economic development, and transportation
alternatives are all necessary to ensure Florida's future vitality, growth and sustainability.
SECTION 4: Effective Date. This Resolution shall take effect upon
adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS I S� DAY OF Fe b ra a A.D.
2011.
John C. MaZTGWOO]9,KFLORIDA
CITY O
ATTES
Sarah M. Mirus, MMC, MBA, CITY CLERK
CITY OF LONGWOOD, FLORIDA
Approved as to form and legality for the use and reliance of the City of Longwood,
Florida, only.
D9 iel Langle
CITY ATT ONGWOOD, FL
Resolution No. 11-1269
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